Me and *Starhorse decided to do an art trade. Her part of it can be found here: [link] Squee!

We both have stories we're working on, and both of us are serious about our craft. I decided to do the cover of one of her books, the second in the trilogy of which is called Warsky Rising. From top left to right are Lao'ra, Seylan, Tane, and Griffinai. This scene is where the four heroes meet for the first time. Tane just came through a Gate Portal, which the stone in the background is part of, and isn't very happy to make Griffinau's acquaintance. Before anyone gets started on this, you cannot buy this book anywhere, all right? Not been published, but it's only a matter of time.

I tried real hard with composition here, but in the end things seemed to just fall kinda flat. I have very little dynamic do my backgrounds, especially. This was also one of my first serious attempts at using colored lines. I can't say if I was successful or not. For once, the detail shot looks better than the thumbnail. Seems both me and Star beat ourselves about our respective experimentations. Still, I had fun with it, and that's the important part. The emblem is actually Star's, too, her Celtic Sanrin and Griffy lines.

If I could make a suggestion, I think your composition could improve with a simple change of lighting. Consider dramatic lighting, like if this scene were taking place at sunset or a single harsh light was shining on them instead of flat midafternoon light as you have it. Or a gradient with dark above and dark below that focuses your attention on the title and the warring equines in the center.

Wooo! I swear, I was soso excited to get home from vacation because of this! This is the largest scale thing anyone's ever done for me! (not to mention you're the first person to ever do Lao) You got all their personalities fantastically ( l espescially love Seylan; 'Whut?') And the portal gate! Glyphs! and any other positive emote I can spam you with.